The best dog-friendly Brighton hotels for a relaxing weekend break

On the edge of the sweeping South Downs – the ideal place to spend a day with your four-legged friend – the dog-friendly White Horse sits on a cliff looking out across the English Channel. The hotel is located just outside Brighton city centre in the peaceful village of Rottingdean, between cosmopolitan Brighton Marina and the golf course at Peacehaven.

It’s housed within a historic 1930s building featuring a stained-glass cupola and staircase with Art-Deco bannisters. Put your feet up in elegant, contemporary rooms styled with understated tones with accents of bright colour or chic wallpaper. Dog-friendly rooms are available on request, so you’ll need to ask for these when you book. The hotel makes the most of its prime position with views that look out to sea or across the rolling chalk hills and woodland of the nearby national park – your inspiration for next day’s wander with your dog.

Head downstairs to dine with sea views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. On warmer evenings, order an aperitif or a glass of wine at your seat beneath a parasol on the wooden deck – all you need do then is watch the setting sun shimmer on the water, with your pooch at your feet.

Once inside the bar and restaurant, which is decorated in pale sky blue with boldly patterned furnishings, sip on cask ales or try craft gins with tonic while you sample dishes such as calamari or nachos. For something more substantial, the kitchen serves a selection of pub classics alongside more delicate dishes, such as grilled sea bass and pan-fried scallops, served on a prawn and pea risotto.

There a few better places to enjoy a crisp glass of Sancerre than the boutique-style Hotel du Vin. The quirky, gothic buildings – once home to a wine merchant – are linked by a cosy courtyard, which is decorated with vine-covered pergolas, strings of lights and wicker tables and chairs. It’s an ideal place to sit in the sun and open a bottle. Dinner is served in the elegant bistro, where French home-style cooking is presented with modern flair. Tuck into a classic cassoulet or share the platter of oysters, lobster, Salcombe crab, prawns and squid ceviche. Afterwards, choose from over 100 whiskies and rums for a nightcap in the lounge or bar.

When it’s time for bed, wander up to your individually designed room with décor that combines the hotel’s quirky spirit with a luxurious contemporary feel. Stand beneath the relaxing monsoon shower before sinking into your hand-sprung bed dressed in super-soft Egyptian cotton. Dogs can live the life of luxury too: they are welcome to sleep in one of the suites or two of the superior rooms for an additional fee per night. They can curl up in their own bed, drink from their water bowl and savour a complimentary bag of biscuits.

From your location in the heart of Brighton’s Lanes, the most historic part of the city, explore the quaint cobbled streets and wander by contemporary jewellers, artisan coffee shops and fashion boutiques. Take a stroll to the seafront – a minute away – and play fetch with your dog along the pebbled beach, in view of the city’s famous pier.

The Grand is a Brighton icon: an opulent Victorian hotel with an unforgettable white façade and panoramic views across the English channel. Inside, it’s been elegantly updated with contemporary facilities such as the tranquil spa. Unwind in the detoxifying thermal suite, enjoy a rejuvenating massage or experience an English Rose facial with Natural Spa Factory products.

Enter the ornate lobby, which combines 19th-century elegance with a modern flair. At the GB1 restaurant, which has two AA rosettes, the Regency-era columns have been incorporated into a stylish zinc bar. Sit at the counter or at the leather banquettes and sample freshly caught seafood and classic British cuisine. Try dishes such as cod with charred romaine lettuce, broccoli, almond purée and prosciutto dust. If you fancy a nightcap in sophisticated surroundings, wander to the Victoria Terrace, Lounge and Bar where you can sit back and soak up the sea views. Order a signature cocktail such as the Columbus 1493, which combines rum, vanilla and fruit and is served in a copper pineapple.

Rooms at this hotel boast the same refined glamour as the lounges. Make yourself at home on plush furnishings and beds with Egyptian cotton sheets amid décor in calming neutral shades and subtle pastel tones. Upgraded rooms feature wireless sound systems, deluxe coffee machines and luxurious Noble Isle toiletries. Dogs are welcome to stay with you in any of the hotel’s rooms, from the comfortable classic rooms to the expansive King Suite overlooking the pebble beach and pier.

Relaxed and cosy, the award-winning Oriental Brighton sits in a grade II-listed Regency townhouse. This boutique hotel aims to be a home away from home. That goes for your dog, too: let the hotel know, and they’ll place you in a wood-floored room with a warm welcome for both of you. Just a stick’s throw from the beach, it’s well placed for walking your pet and refuelling afterwards with a pasta lunch at the beachside restaurant, Al Fresco. See how 19th-century Brightonians lived at the meticulously restored Regency Town House or catch major performers play at the breathtaking Brighton Dome.

Settle into rooms decorated with contemporary furnishings, cool grey tones and bright pops of colour. Original features such as large sash windows and high ceilings mean the rooms feel spacious and light. Unwind after your journey under the revitalising rainfall shower, settle into a soothing whirlpool bath or arrange for a massage in your room. For an indulgent way to start your day, order breakfast the night before and have it delivered to your room. By request, the hotel can also provide champagne on arrival, welcoming flowers and locally made chocolates.

In the evening, head down to the hotel’s bar for an aperitif before dinner in the city or a nightcap before bed. Sit on the bespoke curvy sofa at one of the bar’s colourful mosaic tables and take a look at the original art on the walls. The period fireplace surrounded by fairy lights provides a charming focal point as you sip on a cocktail or a glass of wine.

The vibrant Ibis Brighton City Centre Station hotel certainly pays homage to the city’s creative spirit: its brightly coloured reception area was designed with the help of a local artist and features original work by emerging talents. Pets are welcome in the sleek, air-conditioned rooms, so make yourself at home with your dog by your side.

Your room continues the creative theme with artistic chalk pieces above the bed and pops of vivid red detail. Memory foam mattresses help you drift off after a day of exploring. Most rooms also have a seating area with a small sofa where you can put your feet up with a tea or coffee.

If you feel peckish, Fogg’s restaurant takes inspiration from its namesake, Phineas, and serves dishes from around the world including pizza and American diner classics. The informal restaurant subtly nods to the city’s beachfront location: abstract seagull prints decorate the walls while wavy beams in the ceiling recall the sea. For a glass of wine before dinner or a coffee afterwards, head to the bar and relax on the sofa in front of floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Ibis hotel could hardly have a better location – it’s next to the city’s train station with direct links taking you to London in an hour, or further afield in the south of England. If you’d prefer to explore on foot, take a stroll with your pet around the unique boutique shops, snug bars and antique markets of North Laine or explore the history of George IV’s extravagant pleasure palace, the Brighton Pavilion.